Urbanisation Basics
What is urbanisation?
The increase in the percentage of a country’s population living in towns and cities.
What does rural- to urban migration mean?
The movement of people from the countryside to cities
Name one economic opportunity available in cities.
More jobs and a greater variety of employment.
What is one environmental challenge faced by cities?
Air pollution, water pollution, or noise pollution.
What does sustainable urban management mean?
Managing cities so they meet people’s needs today without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs
What is counterurbanisation?
Counterurbanisation is people moving away from cities
Describe two pulls to urban areas
More job opportunities with higher wages
Better access to health and education
Greater food security
Less vulnerable to drought
Give two examples of services that are usually better in cities than rural areas.
Healthcare and education.
Define informal settlement (slum).
Housing built without legal rights to the land, often made from poor-quality materials and lacking services.
Give one example of a “carrot” strategy used to reduce traffic.
Subsidised public transport, bus lanes, or park-and-ride schemes.
What are reasons for counterurbanisation?
usually for a better quality of life, less pollution, and cheaper housing.
Describe two push factors that might drive people to leave rural areas.
(1) Few jobs and low wages, (2) Lack of healthcare and education, or (3) Drought and crop failure.
Describe two major social challenges created by rapid urbanisation.
(1) Overcrowded schools and hospitals, (2) Waste management and transport problems, or (3) Rise of informal housing.
What is a congestion charge and how does it work to solve traffic problems?
Drivers are charged a fee for entering into a city. High cost convinces more people to take public transit
Explain two reasons why urban growth is slowing in HICs but increasing in LICs.
1) HICs already urbanised in the past, so less room for growth. (2) People are leaving large cities for rural areas, while LICs are still urbanising rapidly due to high birth rates and migration.
Explain how rural-to-urban migration can create both opportunities and challenges for cities.
Opportunities: More labour and economic growth; Challenges: Overcrowding, poor housing, and pressure on services.
How does cultural diversity make urban life more appealing?
Cities offer a mix of cultures, foods, festivals, and entertainment, making them vibrant and inclusive places to live.
Explain why air pollution tends to be worse in LIC cities.
Electricity comes from low-grade coal, cars are older and less fuel-efficient, and there are fewer pollution controls.
Explain how green infrastructure can help reduce pollution in cities.
Trees and parks absorb CO₂, reduce flooding, and improve air and water quality.
How can inequality affect people’s quality of life in cities?
It creates large gaps between rich and poor, with unequal access to housing, healthcare, and education.
What is a self help scheme? Give an example
provide residents with building material or tools to improve housing
Sao Paulo- giving building materials (bricks, cement) to local residents for them to build their own homes with electricity, water and sewage systems installed